The ACCP "Excellence in Achievement" Program serves to acknowledge ACCP Members whose engagement with ACCP events/committees and contributions to the organization are deserving of recognition.

ACCP is pleased to recognize Otito Frances Iwuchukwu, RPh, PhD, Assistant Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy in Florham Park, New Jersey. Dr. Iwuchukwu has been an ACCP Member since 2012. She is an active member of the ACCP Education Committee and previous member of the CE Compliance Subcommittee.

Dr. Iwuchukwu is a Pharmacist Scientist who obtained her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences with specialization in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics/Medicinal Chemistry from Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She then went on to complete an NIH T-32 cardiovascular pharmacogenomics-focused training fellowship in clinical pharmacology at Vanderbilt University under the mentorship of the Program Director, Dr. Michael Stein. During her training, she served as the Chief Fellow for the 2014/2015 academic year and was a recipient of the 2015 Clinical Pharmacology Fellows Teaching Award. She completed and received her certification in the NIH-sponsored Principles of Clinical Pharmacology course for the 2015 academic cycle. After her training, she transitioned to academic pharmacy and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Fairleigh Dickinson University's School of Pharmacy where she teaches and conducts pharmacogenomics research. She is also an active member of the Clinical Pharmacogenomics Implementation Consortium, where she contributes to the Consortium's mission of providing guidelines that enable the translation of genetic laboratory test results into actionable prescribing decisions for drugs with validated pharmacogenetic associations.

Dr. Iwuchukwu's research involves investigating pharmacogenetic associations of Phase 1 (CYP450s) and Phase II (UGTs) drug metabolizing enzymes and how these influence clinical outcomes for drugs used in cardiovascular diseases and liver transplantation. She has published over 15 peer-reviewed manuscripts and one book chapter and has presented posters and an invited oral presentation at various national and international meetings. She is also a mentor, an active voice and representative for women and minority students at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Iwuchukwu is a licensed pharmacist in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and New Jersey and is currently contributing her clinical skills to patient care at her practice site in St. Barnabas Medical Center, a 597 bed academic medical center and part of the RWJBarnabas Health System in Livingston, New Jersey.

Dr. Iwuchukwu graciously shared her thoughts on membership in ACCP: "I joined ACCP in 2012 during my first year of fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University. As a trainee desiring to advance in the field of clinical pharmacology, membership in a flagship society like ACCP is extremely beneficial due to the quality of research and networking opportunities that come from being a society member. One very tangible and positive attraction for me was, and still is, the quality of the Workshops & Symposia presented at the ACCP Annual Meeting as it enables me to keep up-to-date with the latest breakthrough scientific research/knowledge in a small group setting. I have always been an educator at heart and when the opportunity presented itself to become a member of the ACCP Education Committee, I volunteered my time. As a member of the ACCP Education Committee, I have been able to utilize my reviewer skills to ensure that only the highest quality educational content submissions are accepted and presented for ACCP Virtual Journal Clubs, Webinars and the Annual Meeting.  With ACCP, I truly believe all members' contributions are valued and while we seek to increase membership, the college is still at a size where young and upcoming members can benefit from one-on-one interactions with fellow collegiate and not be overwhelmed either by cost of membership or size of the Annual Meeting. ACCP is truly a flagship society for Clinical Pharmacology and I am proud to be a Member."

Congratulations, Dr. Iwuchukwu, on being recognized for your outstanding achievements and contributions to ACCP! Read more about Dr. Iwuchukwu in her CV.